Jaguar Mk1 - Big cat was first to head the pack

As I roll gently down the Brands Hatch pitlane, ready to head out for my first run of the day, I feel like a villain in an early James Bond film. There are no machine guns lurking in the headlights of this particular Mk1 Jag, but even lacking rocket launchers this car was the weapon of choice in the early days of the British Touring Car Championship in the late 1950s, and remains one of the top choices if you are a serious '50s historic tin-top racer today.

Everything about this car screams elegance and sophistication on the surface, but underneath the skin lurks the stuff of a seriously potent racing car. I've been on the receiving end of one of these big-engined beasts mercilessly thundering past on the Lavant Straight at Goodwood - they are seriously quick and I'm looking forward to seeing what this one can do.

In fact, this particular Mk1's former owner was driving one of three that blew me away at the 2014 Goodwood Revival. Stuart Graham and Richard Butterfield finished fourth in the St Mary's Trophy in one of the Big Cats, while I was limping Guy Harman's Fiat Abarth 1100 to the finish without the use of third gear.

Ben Anderson is Autosport's F1 Editor, and official track tester and tame racing driver. He holds an undergraduate degree in journalism studies from the University of Sheffield and joined the title in March 2008, after eight months working in local newspaper journalism for award-winning weekly the Surrey Mirror. He worked on Autosport's national desk before moving up to F1 in '14. He has raced karts and cars since the age of 11 and has tested or raced more than 100 different examples during his career so far.

Why F1 fears the changes that can save itFormula 1 is spectacular and fascinating for those heavily involved in it, but it doesn't do a good enough job of getting that across to a wider audience, or allowing the things that make it so great to come to the surface often enough1541635200F1

Who is Fernando Alonso really?In this piece, first published in the August 20 2015 issue of Autosport magazine, we attempt to untangle the myths, legends and misconceptions surrounding Fernando Alonso, with input from on-track rivals, former team colleagues and the man himself1534204800F1

The chief victim of F1's renewed civil warCarlos Sainz Jr's deal to join Renault on loan from Red Bull appeared at first to have given him control over his own destiny. But is he now next in line to be shuffled out of the door in Renault's relentless pursuit of progress?1533081600F1

How Bottas's bad luck is saving HamiltonValtteri Bottas has had so much misfortune in the 2018 season that it's easy to imagine he could be leading the championship with better luck. But when the circumstances of his races are fully analysed, it's Sebastian Vettel who'd actually be better off if Bottas was luckier1531699200F1

The real story behind Mercedes' turnaroundThere was talk that Mercedes was in 'crisis' during pre-season testing, as its initial car lacked pace and its drivers expressed concerns. While those fears proved wide of the mark, the negatives became the foundation of its Melbourne fightback1553126400F1

The last Nissan gamer-racer still standingWhile Nissan has culled many of its drivers, arguably its most successful and highest profile gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough has kept his place. Will he be the last of the manufacturer-backed motorsport sim graduates?1553126400Esports

The legacy of Audi's engine architectTwenty years on from the Audi sportscar programme's debut at Sebring, meet Ulrich Baretzky - the driving force behind the four rings' success, who ironically never wanted to be an engineer1553040000Engineering

The inside story of Formula E's London returnFormula E's first London foray ended in acrimony as local residents helped end any chance of a Battersea return. Not to be deterred, FE worked quietly to get a much-desired London homecoming1553040000F1

Please note that unauthorised reproduction or translation of any content (including words, data, information, photos, videos and any other intellectual property) published on this page and any other copyrighted content published on Autosport.com is strictly prohibited. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.